Help calm me. House buying and selling stress. Part 6

Yesterday was my first day without having to think of builders coming. Was a busy day - Washing day, including stripping and changing my bed linen. My free standing towel rail for bathroom arrived and I put this together. Spent a little time looking for where I had put a spare towel ring - no luck will continue to do thorough search for that today. (I know it is here, I could not find it when I looked for it to put into en-suite, purchased a replacement - then, of course found it and put it away 'safely'.

Cooked chicken casserole in slow oven for me and daughter for tea and also stewed some apples. Thursday is also the day I have to get all rubbish down into the bins for early collection this morning. I also joinedup to a further Future Learn course - this one on Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology. Just sounded interesting to me (my only knowledge of this is that I love watching Silent Witness!!!!)

My daughter got here by 4.30 j- just after I finished drying off and putting away the washing, and brought me up to date with how her three youngest are settling back into their schools (all pretty well), and how she has settled into her new job (happily). Eldest is due to go to Southampton Uni on 23rd Sept.

Dentist phoned me to make appointment to extract tooth which had supposed to happen just as lockdown occurred. I refused as have had no further problem with this tooth and really do not want something taken out unneccesarily.

Shandy, do have a phone chat with Trading Standards about your laptop - I am sure that the company from which you purchased it are in breach of the law.

My thoughts are now turning to Autumn - need to tidyup, and clean the patio balcony and start preparing for putting in spring bulbs into pots for that.

Its an expensive week. Yesterday our old boiler started dripping and by the time the engineer arrived it was pouring over the work top. So, new boiler ordered. No hot water until Sunday

Car going in for annual service and mot.

This morning DH computer hacked so we can't log in . It's a Lenovo. So off to PC world this pm.

My 3 grape vines have arrived and the 3 blueberries so will plant those.

Property at an all time high!

Seems to be a decent day ahead, got to make the most of these before winter. I am hoping to evolve into a nice pottering day like yesterday, starting with a washing load. I wore a years old puma cotton polo shirt yesterday, I`ll be so sorry when it wears out, I love puma cottton, it does not cling and feels so fresh all day. I did buy some things, very comfortable hard wearing stretchy jeans, I already have 2 pairs but they were on offer and I got blue, grey and black for £12 a pair. Bon marche sara jeans, I am delighted to be wearing a 16 in these, once upon a time I was a 22. I still have some 18+ trousers, I think it is time to de-clutter them

Nothing is set in stone again today, I`ll play it by ear but want to incorporate some outdoor exercise. The garden is up to date and I have no house maintenance. I want to stay away from the laptop and do positive stuff, while the weather is fair

Shandy, is the lenovo good now?

Met up with my friend from U3A yesterday morning couldn't go to our usual cafe as it was full. But the one we went to was lovely. It was nice to have a catch up. We text but it's nice to met face to face.

When I was at the bus stop the leader of our craft group was walking by with her dog. It was lovely to see her as the last time was March. Had a 10, mins chat then my bus came. Went to my daughter's for lunch and play time with my grandson. As always after chasing him round and playing. Always sleep well. Started to watch Midsomer murders at 8 was 11 when I woke up. Then went to bed. He is better than any sleep remedy.

Have a good day everyone.

Well lap†op is back, it is my old one. I haven't charged it up yet, not looking forward to trying to instal Word again. It needed a new Motherboard - I'm not impressed.

Shandy, I second what Franbern has said about the Sale of Goods Act. That was why I mentioned that I had bought mine in Currys so that if anything went wrong I would look to them to rectify the situation. Also if you have any problems you could ring the Trading Standards Dept. at your local Council they would be able to give advice and guidance.
I hope that you don't have to go down that road and that the computer will behave itself from now on.

Morning all, sunny and lovely today.

I'm having one of 'those' weeks. Stayed in for delivery all day Monday, no delivery. Rearranged delivery to sweet shop yesterday - UPS got there late and it was closed it's their half day - odd for a Tuesday! Hopefully will have it back soon - thanks for info Franbern, I'm not sure I'll trust it now but at least I have this desktop to use for emergencies.

So got up early for the 9 am electrician visit as the landlord wants the outside electrics sorted - 8.30 am got a text saying electrician ill. Rearranged for the 28th.

I feel a bit miserable about this second wave. Our village is heaving with visitors, none are wearing masks. I hope my Devon trip can still go ahead. I'm going to have trouble looking at flats because of my pets and will have to check the lease very carefully. I'm still looking at the House Buying section on Moneysaving expert, apparently a block where pets are allowed are having problems with the 'house cat owners' because of their 'cat litter disposal'. Why is someone's bin open to public scrutiny, I wouldn't like that at all.

Enjoy your day whatever you are doing

Bathroom electrician due later this morning. I was awake (for me) very early so decided to get up and go to Sainsbury's for my weekly shop when they opened at 7.00 am. Was good, so few people I had a very leisurely shop and it was lovely to see the secondary school children going to their schools as I drove back home.

I always put my car in the residents car park after shopping, makes it easier for me to take out my large shopping trolley and put the bags into them, and then wheel that up to my flat. The security gate to this is locked at night, all resident a have a key -usually opened each morning by a cttee member about 8.15 am. I returned from shopping prior to that time, we are not normally early users of that car park, except for workmen coming in to do work in the flats.

Shandy, I am a little disturbed about your laptop - you purchased this new I think, and less than six months ago - and the Sale of Goods Act (whatever it is called these days) specifies that any article that is not fit for purpose during that period does not get repaired, but changed for a new one, or money refunded.

The flower arranging was really good. Very therapeutic to just concentrate on the flowers and foliage. Need to grow some foliage plants like pittosporum but have found there are 200 or so varieties. Which to choose?

Did it again press the wrong button before checking for spelling mistakes .
Yesterday I made 6lb of strawberry and orange jam. My daughter and grandson came round on the afternoon. After playing inside for a bit. Took him into the garden to plant out the last few seedlings. He loves to do the watering. I have some large rocks as a rockery. I love them but dread to think how much they would cost today. By the look of them and the size they must have been put in decades ago. He loves to walk on them. They are a great help went I weed as I walk over them and can balance safely with my stick . My daughter took a photo of us from inside. And sent it to me. Just had a long sleeved tee shirt and skirt on as it was to hot for my fleece. I was shocked how I look in a good way. Even though I have lost a lot of weight still got a fat woman's mentality, don't see myself as I really am. But spent decades being size 32 now a 16. Is it just me or do others not see their real self's ?

Raining at the moment hopefully warms up.as I was hoping to do some weeding. My cold is a lot better today. Need to speak to the doctor's today so thank you for the reminder about the flu jab Franbern. Must remember to ask when they are taking appointments.

Have a good day everyone.

loopyloo how did the flower arranging go I hope you had a good time. When I was in my teens my dad when to night school to learn how to flower arrange. He was the only man in the class. On year he brought a sewing machine mom wasn't interested in using it so he went to classes to learn how to make clothes. He made a lot for me and mom. It was when hot pants first came out. My dad was never cared if people thought he was odd doing women things. As that was the attitude back then. He and his comrades did embroidery in the army as it past the time away. They would embroider dressing table sets. Whatever happened to those? I suppose they went the same way as doilies!

Loopyloo, do let us all know how you get on at the flower arranging group. I have always wanted to learn something (anything) about flower arranging. When I moved here, my daughter tried hard to persuade me to join the one run by U3A - but I really did not have the confidence to go to that - cannot believe they could cope with someone as rubbish at this sort of thing as I am.
Spent far too long yesterday trying to book for a fluy jab. Local GP surgery sent me a message with a link, but although I tried this within ten minutes of getting that message, that link was not working. Then tried to phone them to leave a message - no good. Then spent two lots of nearly 20 minutes trying to phone nearby, very large branch of Boots. They never answer their phones. In the end O got out the scooter and trundled down there and booked for earliest which is 8th October. Did purchase paint for guest bedroom whilst I was out.
Have two zoom meetings to attend this morning

Oh Shandy, how annoying! The village sweet shop sounds wonderful though.
Crafty, your meals sound delicious.
Off to flower arranging this morning with scissors and foliage. And mask and hand sanitizer .
This life is weird. And you never now when you might be having to move again so I need to start decluttering once more.

Evening all, what a waste of a day. I really want my laptop back so waited in, UPS delivery was from 8 am to 7 pm. I couldn't go out to the garage as it is across the road at the back of the house, so I just sat here all day like a lemon. I did walk my dog quickly in the field across the road for about five minutes, but left a note with my phone number. At 6.40 pm got a text to say 'sorry we missed you, delivery will be rescheduled'. They hadn't been, it's just their way of saying they couldn't make it. You don't get a delivery option until they've 'missed you', it's now going to the village sweet shop, they are a collection point.

whiff, I hope you can shake that cold off. Small children are germ incubators

Good job done Franbern.

I have had a good day, garden work, cycling and cooking with enough mugs of tea and coffee. No rush to do anything but everything slotted in. I had a lb of shin beef and made a gorgous stew in the pressure cooker, plenty of veg and some red wine and old fashioned oxo. Very tasty and 6 meals with 5 to go into the freezer, also butternut ginger and chilli soup,6 portions, 4 in the freezer. I am happy with that, I always like to have some easy-grab food in the freezer. It must be a good thing, being productive but uneventful. 35 minutes in the pressure cooker compares very well to 3 hours for shin in a slow oven. I am glad I never downsized the pressure cooker

Shandy, good to make your presence felt, being pro-active, letting them hear your firm, determined voice. They will have to take notice

Well, no electrician turned up to finish bathroom, Phoned the main plumber boss who is project manager. Now appears as if he seem to have not told the electrician to come in to finish today, He is now coming late on Wednesday morning. Not a great problem.

But...I decided not to waste the day. So I have been into the spare bedroom and repaired the damage to the plaster caused when they took the old rad.off the wall. Then I put up the tracking to take the aerial and leccie wire from the tv on the wall to the point
Until radiator had been removed had not decided whether to take this up and round, or down and along. Decided on the former, having worked out the small problem of how to manage the electricity wire extension plug.
Have had a good mornings work, so that room is now nearly ready for painting.
Felt good to get back to some DIY myself. I needed to cut those D strip tracking -and having only brought a small amount of the tools with - I thought I would have to go to my SiL to borrow a small hacksaw. But I found I did bring that with and an unopened pack of of blades for it.
Am having a relaxing afternoon now.

Shandy don’t forget the other websites, Onthemarket, Zoopla etc

Morning all, cold and rainy today. I'm waiting in until 7 pm for my Lenovo to be returned by UPS, I'll be so glad to have it back. I've got the old huge desktop Apple on a tiny table and am so limited space wise here.

I phoned the EA this morning and gave feedback on the house I viewed on Saturday. They agree that it is more than likely that the Duke will get planning permission, I really feel for the young couple trying to sell. The sixty houses will be built on a mountainous field behind the house, and will be seen for miles around. Unfortunately it is a wildlife haven, a resting place for curlews from the near by estuary, as well as deer, badgers etc, it is extremely sad.

I phoned an Exmouth EA this morning and she said they are very busy, I am staying glued to RightMove. I'm going to phone them all, to make my presence felt, I don't think the enquiry email is effective.

Enjoy your day

kissngate I will try that thank you. Caught my grandson's cold but it was off him I don't mind. Need to go to the post office in the morning. I always carry a spare mask in my bag but better take 2 incase I sneeze.

Thanks for the sympathy craftyone and whiff for the loss of our buyers. Being honest with ourselves me and oh do think we are overpriced as the number of properties going on market around here has increased.
Whiff - you mentioned stuff for charity shops when they open. When we had a buyer we started clearing out but none of the large charities would collect (still won't). I joined freecycle and can highly recommend. You offer the item under nearest town, take a pic of item if you like, then list it. Takes an hour or two before it goes live then you wait for responses. You dont give any personal details out until you select the person to take it. The taker has to pick up so no need to worry about transport. It's been very humbling and absolutely everyone has been v grateful. Well worth checking out freecycle in your area. Any questions just ask.

so who would blame the youngsters going to these raves? I don`t at all, I remember back to my younger student years, the best years of my life party after glorous party, rambles with my friends. Young is rebellious, why should they sit back and wait for what could well be a very long time. My generation have been indoctrinated, to obey and I am ready to break free, my spirit will not be kept in a tight box

I feel as if life is drifting by, too.

I don't have a hankering to go to London but I do feel like going to Exmouth or somewhere nearby. We had thought of retiring back down to Devon (Budleigh Salterton or thereabouts) but other events took over.

Sucessful house hunting wherever you decide, Shandy.

Ellianne, ah....a cream tea - even writing about it has a Pavolov's dogs effect on me!!! When is Shandy due to come to Exmouth? - I am away in London 30th Sept - 7th Oct

loopyloo, beware shredded brambles, unless you compost the shreds very thoroughly. Any tiny bramble bit will take root, it the shreds are just spread around

I have been clearing a small patch of my overactive bocking 14 comfrey. I have 3 patches and don`t need so much, my 3 hotbins are so full that I have to keep a brick on top of each. I am going to have 2 compost heaps on the ground this autumn, one for courgettes and one for mini cabbages next year. I have used the gorilla bar so much in that 3x2 feet patch, trug after trug of horid rocks have been taken out. The rain made me stop, perfect timing for lunch

I used to have a shredder, it was wonderful, yet another thing I gave away, together with my lovely chicken house in 2005. Shrugs shoulders, I should have sold it but ran out of time before our move